There is controversy over the controversy… While the popular story has it that there was much gnashing of teeth and rending of garments when Bob Dylan plugged in at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, with folkie Pete Seeger supposedly trying to take an axe to the power lines backstage, Dylan’s organ player, Al Kooper, relates his memory (in his great memoir Backstage Passes And Backstabbing Bastards) that it was not a big deal at all, and that the crowd quite enjoyed the whole thing.

But when have facts gotten in the way of a popular legend? Dylan at the ’65 festival will forever be noted as a crucial, symbolic moment in rock and roll history, myth or not. And now, the symbolic key to that moment, the focus of all that supposed anguish and rebellion, Bob Dylan’s Fender Stratocaster guitar, is going on the auction block.

Dylan is no longer the owner of the guitar – he apparently left it on a plane decades ago, and after some legal back-and-forth, the pilot’s family ended up with it. The guitar will be auctioned off in New York today, and it’s expected to get up to $500,000.

How would you like to see your favorite pop artist win a year’s supply of strings and accessories from Ernie Ball? Now what if we added that one Grand Prize winner will also receive an endorsement deal from Ernie Ball, along with a Music Man guitar or bass for each guitarist in their band?

OurStage has partnered with Ernie Ball for an incredible opportunity that could help launch your career. Throughout the year we’ll be hosting the Ernie Ball Save Your Strings Competition in three genres: Rock, Pop, and Country. Pop stars, you’re up first.

Not only will the finalist get a year’s supply of Ernie Ball strings and accessories, along with editorial coverage on OurStage.com, but at the end of the year, one Grand Prize Winner will receive an endorsement deal from Ernie Ball along with a Music Man guitar or bass of your choosing for EACH guitarist in your band. All you have to do is enter your song into the competition by April 22.

Oh, and you might want to start practicing your John Hancock. After all, you’re gonna need it when you sign that endorsement.

Think you’ve heard it all from the world’s most revolutionary axeman? You’re not totally experienced yet. On March 5, a previously-unreleased collection of Jimi Hendrix songs will finally see the light more than 40 years after they were initially put to tape. The album, People, Hell and Angels, will contain songs originally intended for First Rays of the New Rising Sun, the unfinished double album that Hendrix was working on just before his death in 1970. Supposedly, the lost tracks will feature Hendrix dabbling in horns, percussion, and keyboards, expanding his already adventurous style into new sonic territory. In the meantime, fans can check out limited-time screenings of the guitarist’s legendary set at Woodstock in celebration of the 70th anniversary of his birth.

Having suffered a bizarre hit and run accident that has left her with a bigger deductible than she can handle, OurStage’s own Jenna Bryson has taken to social media with her most persuasive tool: her own music. Bryson recently posted a song and video that detail the accident, in which a woman drove in reverse through an intersection, hit Bryson’s Nissan Cube, and sped away from the scene. Progressive Insurance was unable to find the woman who hit the car, and supposedly could not find a record of Bryson’s insurance record either. Now, she needs $1,000 to help dig her out of the insurance hole, and in exchange is offering her music for free as well as personalized songs about anyone who donates money. Judging by the cute song that she whipped up to advertise her current financial situation, the personalized songs are probably pretty awesome too.

For fans of Kaki King, if you are like me, then you probably miss hearing her lyric-less ambient acoustic guitar playing. Understandably so, since this is originally how the songwriter-singer”because her vocals really are secondary to her songwriting”got her start and why so many people were drawn to her in the first place. Over the years, she has gradually incorporated a few more instruments and some soft singing into her music here and there, which was actually quite a nice for a change. But on her last album, Junior, King almost left the whole solo instrumental guitarist act behind, introducing a full rock band sound and an unmistakably Tegan And Sara influenced full singing voice. Many fans, while welcoming the new style, still felt a bit like something was missing. If you are one of those fans, then slip on your mittens, warm woolen hat, and scarf because the original Kaki King we know and love is back with an autumnal instrumental album called Glow. (more…)

It’s no secret that we think OurStage favorites Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown are destined for big things. Led by their eponymous 21-year-old guitar prodigy, the group has already rocked the stage at the OurStage NMS showcase in New York City and had their music featured in a Guitar Hero game. Now, they’re premiering a song over at Rolling Stone and getting ready for their rightful rock ‘n’ roll takeover. Check out the bluesy stomp of “Last One Leaving” from their upcoming album Wild Child at the Rolling Stone Daily Download page all this week.

The results are finally in! For weeks, OurStage guitarists have been battling each other and melting faces with their gnarliest riffs and licks, all for a chance to win our Guitar Player “Take The Lead” Competition. However, there was only one band mighty enough to take the lead and conquer all. The winner of this ongoing shredfest is Shallow Royale for their song “Son Of Liberty.” Based out of American Canyon, Calif., this three-piece has stuck it out through many obstacles, recently with the addition of a new bassist, to keep their big sound alive. The winning guitar solo is played by Chase Crow, one of two brothers who are founding members of the band. Check out Chase’s incredible riffs in the playlist below.

As their prize, not only will they be featured in an upcoming issue of Guitar Player magazine, but they will also be taking home a year’s supply of Ernie Ball strings and accessories! So congratulations, Shallow Royale. Your axe-wielding skills have fared you well. May the rock be with you.

Are you constantly on the lookout for the latest rising music stars? Are your headphones attached to your ears at all times for fear of missing a beat on the latest upcoming talent? If this sounds like you, and you’re a Canadian resident, then OurStage and the Intel® Canada Superstars Competition need your help!

Intel® “Canada is looking for their next superstar, but they cannot do it without your vote in the seven competition channels. In return for your efforts, you’ll be entered alongside other OurStage users to win an incredible prize package, with one Grand Prize winner receiving a Fender® Modern Player Telecaster Plus along with a Fender® Mustang II 40 Watt Guitar Combo Amp!

You only have until September 30, to judge and be entered to win, so what are you waiting for? Get judging!

It’s always interesting to find out that one of your favorite artists, known for a particular genre, is quite talented in another style of music. Sometimes fans get so used to a person as a specific character fulfilling a familiar role that, at times, it can be a surprise to hear the musician’s alter ego. Often times though, it can be and eye-opening experience, creating crossovers and introducing listeners to a new style of music that they would have otherwise been oblivious to. So, with that in mind, I’d like to acknowledge and pay respect to a few eclectic rockers who have challenged their fanbases with side-projects that are almost polar opposites from their main work. Some you may know, others may surprise you. In the end, you may feel inspired to finally start that pseudo-electronic jazz fusion folk band you’ve been dreaming about for so long. (more…)